Early morn sun danced across the firmament in pleasant reawakening as Cora waited impatiently in her dread citadel. Winter lay firmly about the realms like a cold shroud mantled about the land.
Diamonded frost encrusted the ground with crisp hoary whiteness of winters breath ghosting over the world. Rays of cool golden sun upon the fronds glittered merrily in the slants of light. All the world seemed sleeping and content in the thrall of winter, oblivious to the treacherous darkness about to overpower the lands in a dark shadow and rape the realms of their happiness.
Not even the wickedest of the world could fathom such a thing. Only few could even imagine such misery and fewer still who could realize such a terrible dream. No one would expect what would cast the world in turmoil and none would know what had occurred until she proclaimed herself ruler of all.
Satisfaction filled Cora's deplorable senses as she waltzed victoriously through her apothecary. Though the golden orb glowed merrily over the world in a cloudless sky, the tower and all confined within the tall, black walls were dim and dark. Shadows danced sharply about the thickly dim room, giving the walls jaded silhouettes of cavorting demons.
Behind her, a fire sparkled brightly in the stone maw of the large hearth that conducted the shadows like a master minstrel. The flames were a hellish red, infused with magic that would help enact the curse. Tongues of lashing, gluttonous fire leapt out eagerly as though starving to taste the black magic that would prod the embers into a veritable inferno.
In front of the cruel witch the largest stone table in her spire had been cleared leaving everything ready for the ceremony. A large stone bowl sat in the center of the table whilst next to the empty vessel was the orb of Wild Magic. Tall, black tallow candles in the holders of bleached skulls sat on either end of the table like morbid place holders. Insipid yellow flames danced crazily in the wind upon the apex of the black candles but never sputtered once.
A dire, dangerously pleasant smiled traced Cora's lips as her eyes scanned the preparation wrought together with her delicate hand.
Yes, everything was ready.
The spell was quite simple really when everything came down to the last moments. A combination of all three magic's would produce the power big enough to generate her enchantment. With their mastery and control over the power, she would formulate what spell was to be sent throughout the land then like a notched arrow taunt in a bow she would release the power all to willing to be unleashed and let the dark shadow adumbrate the lands in black despair.
The world would be dashed with misery from her wicked actions. Goodness would fail those of weak hearts and they would turn back to their old cunnings. The savage ogres would regain their strength and bloodlust and march once more from their noxious swamps in the west to bash skulls and pilfer plunder from the villages dotted about the realms.
Those of evil intent would rise once more from their sleeping morass and lethargy of peace and take hold of the kingdoms by the throat. With the evilest delight they would sink their teeth into the throbbing arteries and rip out the throat of goodness. The cries of the desperate would wail high above the lands and she, queen of the disparity, mistress of the fate of others would bask in their pleas and supplications and use them to balm the misery of her own!
Vile chuckles tumbled from her smiling, glossy lips at the thought of such wickedness rampaging about the world. Striding close to a scarlet paned window the witch peeked out over the vast forest alit with the morn and the rim of the horizon. Delight twinkled in her orbits like the frost gleaming upon the grounds
Desperation wouldn't be long in coming now, she knew imperatively. She could almost taste the delicious blackness washing over them. Once Rumpelstiltskin was back her dreams could finally come to pass.
At the thought of the Dark One her spell worn hands toyed with an ancient cube firmly tucked in her grip. Hands neatly by her stomach, the witch stroked the hard carapace of the box.
Dark brown steel forged of from the very gnarled hands of the deity Hephestus, made the panels of the box. Teethed cogs were crafted in the corners of the contraption and intricate designs of pulleys and rig mingled throughout the outside. Artwork of shades and demons were crafted upon the walls detailing the story of the legendry item. The top of the vessel was plated with darker steel than that of the cube. A blood red jewel sat dead center of the top, the only decoration of the box.
Small, made of steel, and more powerful than many enchanted items the vessel was a way to insure her victory. The box, Pandora's box to be exact, was meant for to hold evil, but the infamous container could hold anything the wielder of the cube wished.
Such as the Dark One.
"You knew." Rumpelstiltskin muttered calmly as he appeared in the apothecary amidst a thunderhead of roiling purple magic. Striding firmly into the spire without a hint of his normal flamboyant entrances, the fiend dropped the pale sack bloated with dust upon the stone. The sack fell forward at his feet like an offering to some horrid she-devil to devour, all to bring unhappiness to the lands.
Victory emanated from Cora like pulsing light as he appeared with his spoils in tow. Good magic flared about her wicked senses like searching hands of a blind maiden leaving no doubt in her mind what rested in the bag.
Holding up Pandora's Box the witch admired the deceivingly small trinket. Almost happily, the cruel harpy basked in the dark glow of evil swarming in the containers belly vying to be unleashed. The box was not only meant to keep disreputable things from escaping but the vessel was a small slice, a gift box as it were, of personal hell as well. The creatures and shades and monstrosities swirling inside had no qualms wailing and tearing at one another for endless centuries. Whoever was put into the box was destined for an eternity of torment at their claws and fangs.
A faint chuckle swelled to her demurely grinning lips. "I had a thought." She admitted freely, not even daring to deny the pride in her cunning. "It's the last possible thing that could stop me. I collected the box from your keep days ago, Rumpel. No doubt you stopped by your keep to see if you could gather some means to stop me."
"I tried." Rumpelstiltskin admitted ruefully, his face twisted in silent fury swarming just beneath his gray-gold flesh. What use was there to deny that? Of course he had attempted something other than contacting the Charming's. His last hope had been the box to avoid all the misfortune that would arise.
Sighs of puerile delight fell almost pleasantly from Cora's lips. Her almond eyes glittered dominance. With his confession came a thrill of utmost triumph. Burning malice gushed through her veins and prodded her black heart to a rapid tattoo. He had no more tricks, he was defeated.
Tapping her slender, magic calloused fingers along the edge of the box, the witch canted her head faintly to the left in mild curiosity. "If that is all in your repertoire of futility. Shall we continue or shall I destroy that love of yours?"
"Never that." The fiend replied softly. How dare she even think such a thing. For his Belle he would do anything to keep her alive. "I suppose you'll trap me in the box once all is said and done." Rumpelstiltskin reckoned aloud to the witch. The less her mind was upon Belle the better.
Wickedness gleamed like diamonds in her cunning almond eyes as a smirk twitched upon her shrewd mouth. "You know me too well, Rumpel. Of course I will. I can't have you in the way."
"What of our child?" Queried the fiend tremulously, his eyes ardent with worry. "How can you separate me from my own flesh and blood?"
Cora nodded imperiously akin to a queen granting some clemency. "I shall raise the child… well. You have my word." A promise was easy to keep when something from that oath didn't even exist.
"And Belle." He spoke her glorious name like a hopeful prayer. Swallowing hard, his obsidian eyes took on pleading. "She shall live?"
Though he hated to ask, he needed to be certain. Not being able to see her everyday would be the utmost torment, but being in the box and not knowing she was alive would be a disease gnawing him at every moment.
Patting his cheek softly, the witch grinned, her pale face alit. "She'll be serving tea and dusting like always." Cora assured tauntingly. "In fact." She added slyly. "I've invited her to watch so use you can see her for the last possible moment."
Waving a small hand flippantly, the witch summoned black magic to her beck. All about the spire, the darkness danced to her commands. Shadows, like demon servants, parted from a niche between two book shelves on her mental command to the vile darkness. Bringing the corner out of abysmal night, the blackness revealed the heart of the Dark One caught in the throes of the witch.
Claws of shadowy power from the cold stone walls were lifted from the stone. Mutated by magic, the shadows held Belle in place as the retreat of shade reveled her. The magic claws were like dragon talons and gripped about her firmly, offering no chance of escape from the clutches of sadistic Cora.
Tears streaked down Belle's creamy skin as she stood before them. Shoulders slumped, her head barely looked up to meet them eye to eye. Her arms were low, to her sides but pulled slightly behind her. She seemed akin to a sacrifice waiting to have a dagger plunged into her chest and her blood consumed.
The sable claws curled about her wrists and mercilessly scraped against her skin coaxing blood from her flesh that dripped to the stone. At the sight of the Dark One, her body lurched forward as she tried to escape but the magic held her tight. Words would have spilled from her mouth, but a lash of shadow wrapped about her lips denying her the words laced upon her lips.
Dread stabbed the fiend to the core of his black, bleeding heart. His soul sank to the icy pool of his riotous stomach only to crash upon the ice that froze the scant bit of courage he held.
Did Cora have to still be so cruel? Could she not at least spare Belle some pains? Why was she made to watch him letting her down?
"Lets' begin." The fiend hid a show of agony with the revelation of Belle there to watch him disappoint her. Had she not been in peril even now he would not have done anything to aide Cora's plans but she was the reason why he did not start the magic willingly and started the magic out of force. Heaven above knew how he wished to run and set her free, but he couldn't do such, not when things stood so precarious.
Forcefully averting his black eyes, the fiend mumbled repentance to his love. "Forgive me Belle."
"She may." Cora interrupted cruelly, her smooth voice taunting and calloused to his misery. "Then again she may not. Besides everything will be in ruin and it will all be her fault."
"Pay no mind to her Belle." Rumpelstiltskin growled over her words. "The fault is me and hers. I hope someday you can forgive me."
Struggling against her cruel, cold bond of shadow, Belle tried to speak but the magic chocked her back. Lurching and fighting anew, she threw herself upon the chains, but they clasped only deeper against her flesh.
Desperation clawed at her soul as she ignored the pain. Cora had already informed her while waiting what he had not had the heart to relay. He would go into the box thinking she thought that he preformed the magic for some other cause. He would despair to torment believing something different.
Mirthlessly scoffing, the witch forced the clamps of shadow tighter over the beauty. With a hard slam, the magic forced the girl flush against the cold wall.
The sorceress smirk died a touch as she refocused upon the magic again. "Enough. We're wasting time. Those fairies will be along soon enough."
"Very well." The fiend heaved the sack upon the table. The content upon the table leapt and jangled slightly but that was all of the action.
Taking their places on opposite's sides of the table, facing one another, the Dark One and the dark mistress began to enact the ritual.
Summoning his power, the dark one concentrated upon the regents before him. His gray-gold hand hovered above the items upon the table as though giving them a dark blessing. His mouth murmured a small protection spell to aid in the harnessing of the magic. To control the magic would take all their skills combined.
Delicately picking up the glassy orb of wild magic the Dark One shattered the sphere like an egg. Arches of powerful, rebellious magic snapped out from the broken orb. The glass itself became greenish gray magic sprinkling into the bowl. Thick, vines spotted with long thrones shot up from the stone bowl like tentacles seeking to latch on and pierce flesh with jagged barbs, but Cora's magic managed to subdue the errant power.
Dark shoots of black magic coiled upon the vines like some noxious chemical. Swaying rebelliously, the thick green vines darkened and withered, their power leaving them limp and in the throes of attrition to bite or lash. Falling limply over the rim of the container the vines looked again to withered fingers that tried to escape.
Silently working in rapidity Rumpelstiltskin opened the sack of good magic. Glimmering dust puffed from the bag in a spurt of power as he ripped the draw string open. With a delicate hand, the fiend slowly poured the magic into the seemingly infinite stone bowl. Bursts of vibrant clouds belched from the vessel as the wild magic and good magic mingled and collided in thick menagerie of color and power. They were not too at odds, but what was to come next would prod their powers to their limits.
Power laid thick over the like some humid aura. The tower seemed unbearably hot. Sweat dripped from their brows and rolled in beads from every naked pore as they focused the magic. Even not at odds, the magic was a chore to control. The magic wished to be free, but they had to be tamed.
Hefting up the bowl in both hands once the good magic was wasted, the Dark One moved to the flames. Tossing the entire vessel into the fire, the fiend pushed his own dark magic behind the throw.
Before the stone container could even dash across the hearth, the flames leapt up from the hearth like some hungry predator. Forming into the image of flaming jaws of a dragon coming up from some hellish sanctuary, the magical blaze devoured the stone and all the magic lurking within. Taking the bowl in the flames grip, the fire engulfed every morsel of power.
Immediately the red flames turned into the darkest back leaving the room dimmer than before. Stray slants of wary golden sunlight filtered through the red windows giving enough light to see by. The heat became cold and frigid and flickered with frost instead of flames.
Dark magical smoke swirled at the very bottom of the fireplace as though the flue had been clogged. Small silvery arches of lightening arched through the clouds in their whirlpool of magic.
"It's nearly our turn." Cora muttered nervously as she rounded past the stone table. As the last of the dust poured out and the fog roiled over to the hearth the witch stretched forth her hands. Black streams of power tinted her fingertips as heavy magic's burst from her palms. "Now!"
Immediately, the Dark One turned his magic's to the power stewing within the maw of the stone hearth. Perhaps he could have tried to save Belle with Cora so preoccupied, but the magic required all his concentration to funnel into the good and wild magic and to maintain control so that the bulging power didn't break free. Any deviation could and would result in disaster for all four of them.
Focusing all his attentions upon the morass of magic before them, the Dark One sent waves of lavender hued power down into the swirling smoke. Billows of black and greenish vapors rose up from the tumult like lions raging inside the mists.
Drafty wind whipped into a zephyr about the room in wailing intensity. Hungry, errant power sang wildly through the air, attempting to vie for dominance with one another in the crescendo of magic. Books flapped open and flew off the stone shelves as though hurtled aloft by unseen hands. The hairs of the two sorcerers whipped and lashed ruthlessly about their faces from the tumult.
Not daring to blink, the two sorceress stared upon the blaze and the smoke. Light from the frigid flames cast their faces in sharp glinting angles as they prepared the magic for the deviousness of Cora.
A growl, half worried, rumbled from Cora's lips as the magic slowly came under thrall. "I've underestimate the power. We need more."
As she said so, she sent another burst of magic into the power swirling in the bowl. An arrow of blackness forged from the very depths of her heart sailed through the flames, striking deep into the snaking smoke with another lash of magic to subdue the power to her will.
Belle, watching on in distress, felt for the first time since the ordeal began, her luck turn. Slowly, incredibly, her chains began to vapidly loosen from about her slender form. With all of Cora's concentration on the magic she was taking away from what power that held her slave girl to watch the horrid act. So enraptured in her channeling, the witch felt not the chains of her cruelty thinning.
The razor black claws that held her wrists in a vice fell lax and began to meld once more with the coarse stone wall. Darkness faded from about Belle's wrist as though some light appeared through the room to drive the shadows back to nothingness.
Jerking her hands viciously, the chains of shadow snapped like rusted metal. A screech of dying power from the shadows added to the symphony of the wind. At once, the shadows fell back to being simply shades across the walls.
Not thinking twice, with a cry, the brave Belle raced to the witch. She couldn't let Cora do such things to the Dark One. Not to her Rumpel!
Tackling her captor the girl assaulted the witch who kept her prisoner. Anger erupted in a blazing inferno from her chest. The five years of torment all came back to her, every strike, every punishment everyday of going hungry at the hands of her cruel mistress all bubbled and spewed from the furnace of her soul.
Adrenaline pumped like magic through the beauty's veins as she tried to strike the sorceress. Her hands grappled with the witch trying to make her lose control of the magic and perhaps lose her life.
"You stupid, foolish girl!" Cora screeched as she fell hard to her back. Her entire body jarred from the unexpected strike, but she forced the feeling away. The girl was insane to attack at such a critical time! "Get off! Are you crazy; the magic needs to be controlled! He can't do it alone!"
Struggling for life and power the witch wrestled with the girl. At any other instance she would have sent a bolt of dark power to assail the woman and bring her low in an arch of pain, but her powers lay expended in the hefty spell that drained all her magic's.
Belle's strong grasp entangled with Cora's as she tried to subdue the witch that coaxed forth such misery. While Cora had languished for years and centuries, Belle's strength had increased with her toil. In matters of strength alone, the witch couldn't best her in any way.
Fighting for dear life, for her love, Bell grasped one of Cora's hands to pin her to the stone. Not willing to be caught so, the witch struggled like an adder caught in the talons of a hawk. In a lucky grace bestowed upon the witch, Cora shifted suddenly and the beauty lost her grip. Her hands entangled with Cora's wrenched sharply to the right. At the action, the jerking movement wrought from their fighting sent the ring on the witches left hand up and falling into the floor.
In mere seconds several things happened at once. Magic from the ruby ring, now bereft of a wearer died from upon Cora. Revelation swirled about Cora's body as the ring rolled away under the table. The power that held the illusion of a child faded immediately, leaving no hint of conception.
Shocked by the sudden dismissal of the spell the Dark One halted his magic in a jerking halt. Wisps of purple power dripped from his talons as his arms swung down to the side in amazement. Cora wasn't pregnant. It had all been some devilish trick!
Cutting off his magic, praying the action was not too late, the fiend raced for the cube that once sat next to the witch. Without the child, that changed everything! Grasping the box covetously, his last chance, he tried to open the lid.
"Belle move!" He shouted. Waving a hand over the top, the gem in the center glowed a blood red. Clicks and whirls hummed about the box as the gears and cogs churned and the lid slowly became open.
Scrambling away from the witch, Belle leapt away clear from the sights of the devious vessel. The very last thing she wished to be was caught in the same container as her vile mistress!
Managing to get to her feet, Belle fell flat against the wall. Blood galloped through her veins from the tumult of battle with the witch and the sudden change of events. Goodness lay right in front of them with a box!
Directing the magic of the box in Cora's vicinity, the fiend imaged her in his mind. Pandora's box, once in tune with the wielder would do the rest. Tendrils of dark magic snaked out of the box like tentacles seeking to grasp the witch. Soon she would be no more than a deplorable thought.
A grim smile etched the Dark One's face as the power began to grasp the witch in covetous want. She struggled akin to some worm caught in the sun, but her power lay expended in the failed magic.
Beaming with relief, success was nearly his before the ever faithful raven of the witch swooped down. Ivory claws glinting in the flames, the dutiful bird knocked the cube from the fiend's hands. Horror danced upon the Dark One's face as the box left his grip. Frozen, he watched the cube tumble almost slowly into the magical fire.
Silence, even from Cora rang louder than bellowing wind in the room.
That wasn't good.
For a splint second in the eternal stream of time the world was still and quiet. Frost still layered the dried grass and the sun still shown as brightly through the lattice of the naked trees. All seemed still and right just as the clam before a hurricane.
Abruptly a crack like lightening rang through the room resounded sonorously about the chamber. The foundations of the castle shook dangerously as though caught in the throes of a quake. Fumes of every hue spewed up and roiled contagiously up through the magical blaze. Thick, oily black smoke belched from the flames in a dangerous miasma of crazed power.
Taking advantage of the moment that temporarily froze them, the witch regained her senses. Scrambling to her feet, she slowly backed away from the hearth like a naughty child who saw their actions gone horribly wrong.
Misery was no longer her concern, nor the two that had thwarted her plans. The magic was out of control and once magic was fully free….
"What have you done?" Anger and terror both screamed from her mouth. No longer was there a grin, but fear. Pure, raw terror oozed from her pores like the sweat that drenched her dress. Her breath came shallow and tight from her chest.
Bigger and bigger the clouds of fog seemed to become billows rose to the roof and engulfed the stone. The clouds seemed to be eating away the castle! Not daring to stay and see what monstrously the lack and sudden addition of magic had caused the witch took to her heels. Gathering heaps of her blue gown in tight fistfuls the witch made all haste down from the tower. She would not be around to see what magic had done or what aberration it had wrought from the loosened awry spell.
"Rumpel what's happening?" Belle yelled to be heard. Holding a hand over her eyes she found the fiend staring at the sickly green and purple and black.
Hair whipping in the errant winds of the tumultuous magical storm running free, the Dark One grasped his Belle tight against his wiry body. "The spells gone terribly wrong, Belle! The magic has a mind of itself own. It's uncontrollable and running freely of any desire the power wishes. Whatever spell that magic deems it shall do!"
"What'll happen to us?" Belle hugged his body close. Wariness swarmed rabidly in her heart. Now that the magic was wild and of a mind of its own what could they possibly do? Not even the Dark One could stop the magic.
"I don't know!" He roared to be heard. "But Belle. I'm sorry."
Whatever the magic deemed, wouldn't last forever he knew, but at the moment there was no time to explain. All they could do was look upon in horror as the magic galloped freely without management.
Looking up she grasped his face in her hands. Her eyes were glad and dry. "No more sorry." She said almost in a laughing whisper. "Whatever shall come we shall be together."
"Together." Rumpelstiltskin agreed in a hoarse cry and held her tight. If this was to be the last moment they could share in a long time then he would be with her to the very, bitterest end.
Whatever would happen they would be one in time. Somehow, someway, the truest magic of them all would make a way out of the last remnants of Cora's failed plots stewing within the room.
Savagely pressing his lips on her, the fiend kissed his Belle with all the passion and love in his heart. True love's power rippled about them, awakened by the ardor they held for one another since the very first time they met.
No more fear dwelled about them. Only love, powerful, wild and untamed.
Betwixt them, a silvery sheen erupted over them just as the mysterious black clouds roiled over their bodies and then the realms….